What is a Browser?

This video of google’s market research into its target audience’s awareness and technical knowledge is interesting. It does reveal one thing: most people who use technology know nothing about its idiom or terminology. Yes, it is very funny.

Sarasi has discussed the new Google browser, Chrome, in her blog titled Web Wars. Steph has also discussed another variation of this in her blog titled Web 3.0.

But, really, it comes down to what we call, ‘meta’- something. Whether it is metadiscourse, metalanguage, metafiction or metacognition.

So what does this mean?

Take for example metalanguage: it is language about language. It’s what we learn in a traditional English Grammar class. The technical names of the functions and syntax of the language we use everyday.

For example, what is a relative, subordinate, adjectival, non-restrictive/non-defining clause? We use it in our speech and when we write. Take this sentence:

“Andy, who was last in line, missed out on the food.”

Simply put, the part within the commas is the relative, subordinate, adjectival, non-restrictive/ non-defining clause!

Why?

Relative - because it begins with a relative pronoun, who
Subordinate - because it is inferior to the main clause (Andy missing out on the food).
Adjectival - because it describes the noun/subject, Andy
Non-restrictive/ Non-defining - because if the clause (who was last in line) was removed from the sentence, the sentence will still make sense! The noun/subject (Andy) is not restricted by the clause (who was last in line). It is not critical to the meaning of the sentence!

But really, did we need to know all of that to be able to use that sentence while talking to someone or while writing? Do we need to know metalanguage in order to be practitioners of the language? Do we need to know how digestion takes place in order to eat? Do we need to know how the brain stores information in order to be able to think? Do we need to know how fiction works in order to write a great story? I’m not so sure.

So, why is it so important to really know the technical definitions and terms of the technology that we so heavily rely on and know how to use with great ease? Do we really have to know what a browser is or for that matter what an operating system is, in order to be able to use it effectively as a means to an end? It’s a nice to know, not a must, right?